The PSL 2025 season got off to a dramatic start for Pakistan’s former captain Babar Azam, and not in the way he would’ve hoped. Leading Peshawar Zalmi in their opening match of the season against Quetta Gladiators on Saturday, April 12, Babar was dismissed for a two-ball duck — sending shockwaves through the cricketing fraternity and delighting his critics.
In a daunting 217-run chase, Peshawar Zalmi needed a solid foundation at the top, especially from their most experienced campaigner. But Babar’s stay at the crease was brutally short-lived. He chased a wide delivery outside off stump from Mohammad Amir and nicked it behind, falling for 0 off 2 balls. Amir, who has had a spicy on-field history with Babar, celebrated the dismissal with a thunderous roar, as his Quetta teammates joined in to mark the key breakthrough.
🔴 Watch the dismissal here:
The early exit was a continuation of Babar’s lean patch in T20 cricket. He has not scored a half-century in the format since May 14, 2024, when he managed a 42-ball 75 against Ireland. Since then, he has struggled, registering four single-digit scores in his last six T20 innings. His highest score in this span — a modest 44 — came against the USA during the 2024 T20 World Cup.
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Peshawar’s Batting Chaos Adds to the Woes
While Babar’s dismissal was a major blow, Peshawar’s team selection raised eyebrows too. In a bizarre strategy, the team included six opening batters, with four of them playing out of position to make room for Babar and Saim Ayub at the top.
In fact, dynamic hitter Mitchell Owen, known for his fearless power-hitting, was seen languishing down the order at No.7, where he was batting on 18 off 9 balls at the time of this report. The approach reflected poor tactical planning and placed added pressure on an already shaky middle order.
Babar’s Form – A Cause for Concern?
After being dropped from Pakistan’s T20I squad for the New Zealand series earlier this year, Babar had a point to prove in PSL 2025. However, this dismal outing has only intensified scrutiny on his form and his role in the shortest format moving forward.
With the T20 World Cup 2026 looming on the horizon, Babar’s dip in form could complicate his comeback plans for the national team unless he finds form swiftly in the remaining matches of the PSL.
